Lowdown: Start with an easy tour, roped-climbing review, and moderate descent (25 to 30 degrees) on day one. An early start on day two will have you climbing and skiing more exposed terrain like Ptarmigan Fingers or Dragon Tail Couloir—both with pitches greater than 40 degrees. You'll ascend the same routes you ski, putting avalanche awareness and ice ax and crampon skills into action.Info: REI members $290, non-members $330; 888-267-7783, cmschool.com.

3) Exum Mountain Guides

Moose, WyomingBackcountry Sampler March 6

Lowdown: Dig avy pits, pick routes, and ski technical descents during day trips to Mail Cabin Creek, Mount Oliver, or Grand Teton National Park. "We focus on real-life scenarios. The guide will point up and say, 'Let's go ski that bowl over there. Okay, how do we do it safely?' —Tom Turiano, Exum guideInfo: $220 (for one); $115 per person (for two); $80 per person (for three); $60 per person (four and up); 307-733-2297, exumguides.com.

North Conway, New HampshireThree-Day Ski-Mountaineering CourseDates are by private arrangement from mid January to early April, open dates in March.

Lowdown: Learn roped-descent techniques, as well as ice ax and crampon skills. Test your retention with an overnight and ski descent of Mount Washington on the last day. "The majority of our ski programs are extremely conditions-dependent. In the East, one day it's boilerplate, one day there's high avy danger. —head guide Brad WhiteInfo: $400—$685; 603-356-7064, ime-usa.com.